Russian space agency Roscosmos on Tuesday said that it hoped to launch its own space station in 2025. Moscow is considering withdrawing from the International Space Station programme. Dmitry Rogozin, chief of Roscosmos said work had already begun on the first module of the new space station.&nbsp;

"The first core module of the new Russian orbital station is in the works," Rogozin said in a statement on messaging app Telegram.&nbsp;

He said Russia's Energia space corporation was aiming to have the module "ready for launch" in 2025 and released a video of Energia staff at work.

The announcement came with tensions soaring over espionage claims, a Russian troop build-up along Ukraine's borders and the deteriorating health of President Vladimir Putin's imprisoned critic Alexei Navalny.

International Space Station (ISS) which is currently in orbit is one of the most ambitious international collaborations in human history.

The ISS was launched in 1998 with co-operation between Russia, the US, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency.

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in recent days that Moscow was considering whether to leave the ISS programme from 2025 because of the station's age.

However, Roscosmos said on Monday that a decision on quitting the ISS had not yet been made.

"When we make a decision we will start negotiations with our partners on forms and conditions of cooperation beyond 2024," the space agency told AFP in a statement.

Russia lost its monopoly for manned flights to the ISS last year after the first successful mission of US company Space X.

Despite its much-lauded history -- Russia this month marked the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person in orbit -- the country's space programme has struggled in recent years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian space agency Roscosmos on Tuesday said that it hoped to launch its own space station in 2025. Moscow is considering withdrawing from the International Space Station programme.

Russian space agency Roscosmos on Tuesday said that it hoped to launch its own space station in 2025. Moscow is considering withdrawing from the International Space Station programme. Dmitry Rogozin, chief of Roscosmos said work had already begun on the first module of the new space station. "The first core module of the new Russian orbital station is in the works," Rogozin said in a statement on messaging app Telegram. He said Russia's Energia space corporation was aiming to have the module "ready for launch" in 2025 and released a video of Energia staff at work. The announcement came with tensions soaring over espionage claims, a Russian troop build-up along Ukraine's borders and the deteriorating health of President Vladimir Putin's imprisoned critic Alexei Navalny. International Space Station (ISS) which is currently in orbit is one of the most ambitious international collaborations in human history. The ISS was launched in 1998 with co-operation between Russia, the US, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency. Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said in recent days that Moscow was considering whether to leave the ISS programme from 2025 because of the station's age. However, Roscosmos said on Monday that a decision on quitting the ISS had not yet been made. "When we make a decision we will start negotiations with our partners on forms and conditions of cooperation beyond 2024," the space agency told AFP in a statement. Russia lost its monopoly for manned flights to the ISS last year after the first successful mission of US company Space X. Despite its much-lauded history -- Russia this month marked the 60th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person in orbit -- the country's space programme has struggled in recent years. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia to launch its own space station in 2025

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) urged rich countries to not block a patent waiver plan in the upcoming meeting of World Trade Organisation (WTO). The member of WTO are due to meet informally to talk about this waiver. The patent waiver will boost global production of coronavirus vaccines.

"In this COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again faced with issues of scarcity, which can be addressed through diversification of manufacturing and supply capacity and ensuring the temporary waiver of relevant intellectual property,” said Dr Maria Guevara, MSF’s International Medical Secretary.&nbsp;

“We urge all countries in opposition to this, including the US and the EU, to stand on the right side of history and join hands with those in support. It is about saving lives at the end, not protecting systems.”&nbsp;

This 'TRIPS waiver proposal was put forward by India and South Africa in October last year. Now, the proposal has official backing of 59 sponsoring governments. Around 100 countries support the proposal overall. However, the proposal continues to be stonewalled by a small number of governments.

India is struggling with huge spike in coronavirus cases. Indian health ministry on Thursday reported a spike of more than 300,000 fresh infections within 24 hours. This is the highest recorded number for any country.

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) urged rich countries to not block a patent waiver plan in the upcoming meeting of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The medical charity Doctors Without Borders/ Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) urged rich countries to not block a patent waiver plan in the upcoming meeting of World Trade Organisation (WTO). The member of WTO are due to meet informally to talk about this waiver. The patent waiver will boost global production of coronavirus vaccines. "In this COVID-19 pandemic, we are once again faced with issues of scarcity, which can be addressed through diversification of manufacturing and supply capacity and ensuring the temporary waiver of relevant intellectual property,” said Dr Maria Guevara, MSF’s International Medical Secretary. “We urge all countries in opposition to this, including the US and the EU, to stand on the right side of history and join hands with those in support. It is about saving lives at the end, not protecting systems.” This 'TRIPS waiver proposal was put forward by India and South Africa in October last year. Now, the proposal has official backing of 59 sponsoring governments. Around 100 countries support the proposal overall. However, the proposal continues to be stonewalled by a small number of governments. India is struggling with huge spike in coronavirus cases. Indian health ministry on Thursday reported a spike of more than 300,000 fresh infections within 24 hours. This is the highest recorded number for any country.

MSF urges rich countries to back Covid vaccine patent waiver

Due to the "extremely serious" COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, major cities may be closed down if the coronavirus trajectory continues, the country`s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar informed on Wednesday.The minister urged the country to understand the gravity of the situation, Dawn reported.&nbsp;

"Take care of yourself and your fellow Pakistanis. The situation needs to be taken seriously," said Umar."Further restrictions will need to be imposed. Let me make it clear, the level at which the virus is spreading and our hospitals are filling up [...] if we don`t act now, we will have no choice but to close down major cities," the minister warned, adding that this is their "last chance."

"There is a "margin of a few days" before the major cities could be closed down, Umar said.

The minister also requested the chief ministers of provinces to set aside their political differences and sit down with their health authorities.&nbsp;

"We need leadership right now," Umar said.

Pakistan is witnessing the third wave of coronavirus. In the last 24 hours, the country reported 148 new Covid-19 deaths, raising the total death toll to 16,600.With 5,499 new COVID-19 cases, the total number of cases in the country stands at 772,381.

Due to the "extremely serious" COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, major cities may be closed down if the coronavirus trajectory continues, the country`s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar informed on Wednesday.

Due to the "extremely serious" COVID-19 situation in Pakistan, major cities may be closed down if the coronavirus trajectory continues, the country`s Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar informed on Wednesday.The minister urged the country to understand the gravity of the situation, Dawn reported. "Take care of yourself and your fellow Pakistanis. The situation needs to be taken seriously," said Umar."Further restrictions will need to be imposed. Let me make it clear, the level at which the virus is spreading and our hospitals are filling up [...] if we don`t act now, we will have no choice but to close down major cities," the minister warned, adding that this is their "last chance." "There is a "margin of a few days" before the major cities could be closed down, Umar said. The minister also requested the chief ministers of provinces to set aside their political differences and sit down with their health authorities. "We need leadership right now," Umar said. Pakistan is witnessing the third wave of coronavirus. In the last 24 hours, the country reported 148 new Covid-19 deaths, raising the total death toll to 16,600.With 5,499 new COVID-19 cases, the total number of cases in the country stands at 772,381.

Major cities in Pakistan may be closed down if COVID-19 wave continues: Minister

The second coronavirus wave in India is actually a tsunami of cases. More than 270,000 were reported on Sunday alone. The government has responded by expanding its vaccine drive. From May 1, every Indian aged 18 and above will be eligible for a vaccine.

But herd immunity is still a distant dream.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-first-second-wave-compared-378696/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The number of infections has to fall sometime. But there's no guarantee as to when. On April 12, India was at 161,000 cases. Six days later, we are at 273,000. This translates to a surge of 70 per cent in just a week.

There's no telling when the number will hit the peak and then slide down. Right now, all we have is an uphill drive.

Nonetheless, some models have made bold claims. Most of them think 2021 will be the peak. But India has consistently bucked the statisticians. In the first wave, they made doomsday predictions. We know that those never materialised.

This year they said February would mark a decline in cases. The opposite happened. By the end of February cases started going up.

The fact is, models work under perfect conditions. They do not account for super-spreader campaign rallies or massive religious gatherings. These are externalities, aberrations that make projections impossible.

India did not plan for the second wave. So it is now reacting to crises as they come. Even the courts are having to step in. The Allahabad High Court has ordered mini-lockdowns in five cities in Uttar Pradesh.

The courts normally don't assume such a role but the situation is that bad. The judges are being forced to step in thanks to the administration's inaction. The most pressing challenge right now is Oxygen.

Supply of Oxygen is not looking good. Maharashtra has already reached full capacity. Madhya Pradesh does not have Oxygen plants of its own. And states that do have excess Oxygen have no means to transport it. In a matter of days, the demand for Oxygen has shot up.

The Wuhan virus attacks your lungs. Supplemental Oxygen is critical to treating it. A shortage of cylinders can be devastating.

So what is the government's plan?

There are three specific measures that are being implemented.

1. Importing Oxygen.&nbsp;The government is looking to buy 50,000 tonnes of medical Oxygen.

2. A ban on supply to industries .&nbsp;From April 22nd, Indian industries will not have access to Oxygen. This stock will be diverted to hospitals. &nbsp;

3. Oxygen express.&nbsp;This is a railways initiative. Special trains will transport Oxygen cylinders across the country. This could be a game-changer for rural India.

A similar story is unfolding in case of hospital beds. We are getting reports of patients being turned away from hospitals. The problem is acute in New Delhi. Banquet halls and hotels are being turned into makeshift hospitals. The chief minister says only 100 beds are left.

So India is still treating patients, while the rest of the world is immunising them.

But how did we end up here? To understand this we need to compare the two waves.

What are the similarities and differences?

For instance, does the second wave infect young people more? The data doesn't say so. In both waves, 70 per cent of patients were aged 40 plus.

So the elderly are still the most vulnerable group.

What about younger patients? In the first wave they made up 5.8 per cent of the cases. Now 4.2 per cent.&nbsp;

And this isn't a medical trend. It's just that we have opened up schools and public activities. So kids who stayed at home last year were out playing on the streets.

That accounts for a lot of the younger cases.

What about symptoms?

Let's look at the most common one: shortness of breath. In the first wave, 41 per cent of patients complained of breathlessness. In the second wave, the number is 47.5 per cent and this trend has extended to the use of supplemental Oxygen.

41 per cent patients in the first wave needed Oxygen. This time around 54.5 per cent patients need it. So more than half the admitted patients are using Oxygen cylinders. This is why the shortage is unsettling.

But it's not all bad news. India's fatality rate is under control. In fact, it is lower than the first wave. Another feature of this second surge has been false negatives.

You take a test, It comes out negative. But you may actually be infected. Some reports blame RT-PCR tests.

Virus mutations may mislead tests, giving you a negative result. But the Indian government has dismissed this report. They say the RT-PCR can catch all mutations. If that's the case why are so many false negatives popping up?

One possible reason is shoddy testing. Clinics are swamped with people right now. And collecting swabs is a delicate task. Not everyone has got the perfect training.

So what's the big takeaway here? India relaxed at the wrong moment. The masks and social distancing disappeared when the vaccines arrived.

In contrast, that was the time to put our heads down. India missed a golden chance to crush the pandemic. We are seeing a success story slowly unravel thanks to a lack of foresight.

The second coronavirus wave in India is actually a tsunami of cases. More than 270,000 were reported on Sunday alone. The government has responded by expanding its vaccine drive.

The second coronavirus wave in India is actually a tsunami of cases. More than 270,000 were reported on Sunday alone. The government has responded by expanding its vaccine drive. From May 1, every Indian aged 18 and above will be eligible for a vaccine. But herd immunity is still a distant dream. The number of infections has to fall sometime. But there's no guarantee as to when. On April 12, India was at 161,000 cases. Six days later, we are at 273,000. This translates to a surge of 70 per cent in just a week. There's no telling when the number will hit the peak and then slide down. Right now, all we have is an uphill drive. Nonetheless, some models have made bold claims. Most of them think 2021 will be the peak. But India has consistently bucked the statisticians. In the first wave, they made doomsday predictions. We know that those never materialised. This year they said February would mark a decline in cases. The opposite happened. By the end of February cases started going up. The fact is, models work under perfect conditions. They do not account for super-spreader campaign rallies or massive religious gatherings. These are externalities, aberrations that make projections impossible. India did not plan for the second wave. So it is now reacting to crises as they come. Even the courts are having to step in. The Allahabad High Court has ordered mini-lockdowns in five cities in Uttar Pradesh. The courts normally don't assume such a role but the situation is that bad. The judges are being forced to step in thanks to the administration's inaction. The most pressing challenge right now is Oxygen. Supply of Oxygen is not looking good. Maharashtra has already reached full capacity. Madhya Pradesh does not have Oxygen plants of its own. And states that do have excess Oxygen have no means to transport it. In a matter of days, the demand for Oxygen has shot up. The Wuhan virus attacks your lungs. Supplemental Oxygen is critical to treating it. A shortage of cylinders can be devastating. So what is the government's plan? There are three specific measures that are being implemented. 1. Importing Oxygen. The government is looking to buy 50,000 tonnes of medical Oxygen. 2. A ban on supply to industries . From April 22nd, Indian industries will not have access to Oxygen. This stock will be diverted to hospitals. 3. Oxygen express. This is a railways initiative. Special trains will transport Oxygen cylinders across the country. This could be a game-changer for rural India. A similar story is unfolding in case of hospital beds. We are getting reports of patients being turned away from hospitals. The problem is acute in New Delhi. Banquet halls and hotels are being turned into makeshift hospitals. The chief minister says only 100 beds are left. So India is still treating patients, while the rest of the world is immunising them. But how did we end up here? To understand this we need to compare the two waves. What are the similarities and differences? For instance, does the second wave infect young people more? The data doesn't say so. In both waves, 70 per cent of patients were aged 40 plus. So the elderly are still the most vulnerable group. What about younger patients? In the first wave they made up 5.8 per cent of the cases. Now 4.2 per cent. And this isn't a medical trend. It's just that we have opened up schools and public activities. So kids who stayed at home last year were out playing on the streets. That accounts for a lot of the younger cases. What about symptoms? Let's look at the most common one: shortness of breath. In the first wave, 41 per cent of patients complained of breathlessness. In the second wave, the number is 47.5 per cent and this trend has extended to the use of supplemental Oxygen. 41 per cent patients in the first wave needed Oxygen. This time around 54.5 per cent patients need it. So more than half the admitted patients are using Oxygen cylinders. This is why the shortage is unsettling. But it's not all bad news. India's fatality rate is under control. In fact, it is lower than the first wave. Another feature of this second surge has been false negatives. You take a test, It comes out negative. But you may actually be infected. Some reports blame RT-PCR tests. Virus mutations may mislead tests, giving you a negative result. But the Indian government has dismissed this report. They say the RT-PCR can catch all mutations. If that's the case why are so many false negatives popping up? One possible reason is shoddy testing. Clinics are swamped with people right now. And collecting swabs is a delicate task. Not everyone has got the perfect training. So what's the big takeaway here? India relaxed at the wrong moment. The masks and social distancing disappeared when the vaccines arrived. In contrast, that was the time to put our heads down. India missed a golden chance to crush the pandemic. We are seeing a success story slowly unravel thanks to a lack of foresight.

India must not relax as it combats second wave of coronavirus infections

Coronavirus pandemic is a challenge enough. But the next big challenge is the mutation. Deadlier variants of the Wuhan virus are driving the second wave.

First it was Europe, then Brazil and Africa. Now the virus mutations have struck Asia.&nbsp;

The double mutant that was found in India last year, is now being spotted &nbsp;around the world. The flight bans are back.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-double-mutant-now-in-at-least-16-countries-378681/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

If 2020 was about containing the virus, in 2021, governments are playing catch up with it. The reason is mutations.

After the British and South African variants, an Indian mutation is now quickly becoming a matter of concern worldwide. It's called the double mutant.

This variant carries two mutations of the virus. Scientists had earlier found them separately.

But last year, they were reported together for the first time in India. It is believed that the double mutant is driving India's second wave.

The study of this mutation has been limited. But reports say that prevalence of the double mutant was as high as 52 per cent in January.

Maharashtra is one of the biggest hotspots in the country. The double mutant was found in more than 60 per cent of the samples tested.

As India struggles with its second wave, reports say the double mutant has jumped borders. It has now been detected in at least 16 countries.

The list includes the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.&nbsp;

Researchers are still trying to find out whether the double mutant is deadlier. But one of the mutations in this variant is known to be much more infectious.

Reports say that this mutation increases viral transmission by 20 per cent and reduces the efficacy of antibodies by more than 50 per cent.

This could mean two things. One, the virus can spread faster to more people. And two, it raises the risk of re-infection.

As a result perhaps, flights from India are now facing bans. Hong Kong has banned passenger planes from India for 14 days. Flights from Pakistan and the Philippines have been banned too.

Earlier, New Zealand had banned flights from India.

Recently, Hong Kong detected cases of the N501Y strain, another mutation that's highly infectious. The fact that the Wuhan virus has mutated doesn't come as a surprise.

It's&nbsp;the nature of these mutations that is a cause of concern. The variants of concern are infecting more people. And weakening the vaccines that were supposed to be the world's exit strategy from this pandemic.

Mutations might extend the war against this virus.

The tried and tested method to shield yourself from the virus is use of masks, hand sanitisers and social distancing. 
&nbsp;

Coronavirus pandemic is a challenge enough. But the next big challenge is the mutation. Deadlier variants of the Wuhan virus are driving the second wave. First it was Europe, then Brazil and Africa.

Coronavirus pandemic is a challenge enough. But the next big challenge is the mutation. Deadlier variants of the Wuhan virus are driving the second wave. First it was Europe, then Brazil and Africa. Now the virus mutations have struck Asia. The double mutant that was found in India last year, is now being spotted around the world. The flight bans are back. If 2020 was about containing the virus, in 2021, governments are playing catch up with it. The reason is mutations. After the British and South African variants, an Indian mutation is now quickly becoming a matter of concern worldwide. It's called the double mutant. This variant carries two mutations of the virus. Scientists had earlier found them separately. But last year, they were reported together for the first time in India. It is believed that the double mutant is driving India's second wave. The study of this mutation has been limited. But reports say that prevalence of the double mutant was as high as 52 per cent in January. Maharashtra is one of the biggest hotspots in the country. The double mutant was found in more than 60 per cent of the samples tested. As India struggles with its second wave, reports say the double mutant has jumped borders. It has now been detected in at least 16 countries. The list includes the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Researchers are still trying to find out whether the double mutant is deadlier. But one of the mutations in this variant is known to be much more infectious. Reports say that this mutation increases viral transmission by 20 per cent and reduces the efficacy of antibodies by more than 50 per cent. This could mean two things. One, the virus can spread faster to more people. And two, it raises the risk of re-infection. As a result perhaps, flights from India are now facing bans. Hong Kong has banned passenger planes from India for 14 days. Flights from Pakistan and the Philippines have been banned too. Earlier, New Zealand had banned flights from India. Recently, Hong Kong detected cases of the N501Y strain, another mutation that's highly infectious. The fact that the Wuhan virus has mutated doesn't come as a surprise. It's the nature of these mutations that is a cause of concern. The variants of concern are infecting more people. And weakening the vaccines that were supposed to be the world's exit strategy from this pandemic. Mutations might extend the war against this virus. The tried and tested method to shield yourself from the virus is use of masks, hand sanitisers and social distancing.

Mutations may prolong war against coronavirus

Greece began opening to tourists on Monday with few bookings but hopes for a better season to help make up for a 2020 devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

On Rhodes island, where most visitors are from abroad, hoteliers are scrubbing, polishing and painting in anticipation of a make-or-break year.

"We're preparing the hotel in order to start as soon as the government gives us the green light," said George Tselios, general manager of Sun Beach Hotel, whose customers are from Scandinavia, Germany, Austria and Britain.

Greece will formally open on May 14 but starting Monday, tourists from the European Union, the United States, Britain, Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will not quarantine if they are vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19.

Tourism, which generates a fifth of Greece's GDP and one in five jobs, is vital for an economy which had climbed out of a decade-long slump only to slip back into recession last year as COVID-19 struck.

In a normal year, Rhodes would have already laid out the umbrellas for a season that runs from March through October. In mid-April, it resembled a ghost city.

Shuttered luxury resorts towered over a long, sandy, empty coastline. Beach towns normally bursting with crowds of British tourists were silent, with boarded up shops, tavernas and bars.

Many have been closed since 2020, when just 7.4 million people visited Greece, fewer than any year in its decade-long economic crisis and down from a record 31.3 million in 2019.

From hotels to restaurants and daily cruise boats, the many businesses surviving on state aid cannot afford another lost summer.

"Most of them feel the country cannot survive another crisis," Rhodes's deputy mayor for tourism, Konstantinos Taraslias, said.

Nearly 600,000 tourists visited Rhodes last year, down from 2.3 million in 2019. Just over half its 650 hotels opened, the hoteliers' association said.

WIDESPREAD TESTING

Greece says it is better placed this summer thanks to widespread testing, quarantine hotels and plans to vaccinate islanders and tourism workers.

"We've done everything within our power to have a better season," said George Hatzimarkos, governor of Greece's most popular region, the south Aegean islands, which besides Rhodes includes Mykonos and Santorini.

"We'll be absolutely ready," by mid-May, Hatzimarkos said.

But bookings are few and most for August to October, said the president of Rhodes' hoteliers, Manolis Markopoulos, forecasting a year of last-minute reservations.

"We can understand it because guests really want to be sure that they will fly," he said. "But that does not mean that we will not get bookings later."

While Greece fared better than much of Europe in containing the first wave of the pandemic, a continuous rise in infections has forced it to impose several lockdowns to protect its strained health service.

Tourists will be subject to lockdown restrictions, which include night-time curfews. Restaurants and bars have been closed since November.

Giannis Chalikias, who manages nine businesses on Rhodes, said only one is open and struggling to meet the obligations of the remaining eight.

"We're going through an unprecedented situation," he said. "We're waiting day by day for people to get vaccinated... so that we can open and have a normal season."

Greece began opening to tourists on Monday with few bookings but hopes for a better season to help make up for a 2020 devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. On Rhodes island, where most visitors are from abroad, hoteliers are scrubbing, polishing and painting in anticipation of a make-or-break year.

Greece began opening to tourists on Monday with few bookings but hopes for a better season to help make up for a 2020 devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. On Rhodes island, where most visitors are from abroad, hoteliers are scrubbing, polishing and painting in anticipation of a make-or-break year. "We're preparing the hotel in order to start as soon as the government gives us the green light," said George Tselios, general manager of Sun Beach Hotel, whose customers are from Scandinavia, Germany, Austria and Britain. Greece will formally open on May 14 but starting Monday, tourists from the European Union, the United States, Britain, Serbia, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will not quarantine if they are vaccinated or test negative for COVID-19. Tourism, which generates a fifth of Greece's GDP and one in five jobs, is vital for an economy which had climbed out of a decade-long slump only to slip back into recession last year as COVID-19 struck. In a normal year, Rhodes would have already laid out the umbrellas for a season that runs from March through October. In mid-April, it resembled a ghost city. Shuttered luxury resorts towered over a long, sandy, empty coastline. Beach towns normally bursting with crowds of British tourists were silent, with boarded up shops, tavernas and bars. Many have been closed since 2020, when just 7.4 million people visited Greece, fewer than any year in its decade-long economic crisis and down from a record 31.3 million in 2019. From hotels to restaurants and daily cruise boats, the many businesses surviving on state aid cannot afford another lost summer. "Most of them feel the country cannot survive another crisis," Rhodes's deputy mayor for tourism, Konstantinos Taraslias, said. Nearly 600,000 tourists visited Rhodes last year, down from 2.3 million in 2019. Just over half its 650 hotels opened, the hoteliers' association said. WIDESPREAD TESTING Greece says it is better placed this summer thanks to widespread testing, quarantine hotels and plans to vaccinate islanders and tourism workers. "We've done everything within our power to have a better season," said George Hatzimarkos, governor of Greece's most popular region, the south Aegean islands, which besides Rhodes includes Mykonos and Santorini. "We'll be absolutely ready," by mid-May, Hatzimarkos said. But bookings are few and most for August to October, said the president of Rhodes' hoteliers, Manolis Markopoulos, forecasting a year of last-minute reservations. "We can understand it because guests really want to be sure that they will fly," he said. "But that does not mean that we will not get bookings later." While Greece fared better than much of Europe in containing the first wave of the pandemic, a continuous rise in infections has forced it to impose several lockdowns to protect its strained health service. Tourists will be subject to lockdown restrictions, which include night-time curfews. Restaurants and bars have been closed since November. Giannis Chalikias, who manages nine businesses on Rhodes, said only one is open and struggling to meet the obligations of the remaining eight. "We're going through an unprecedented situation," he said. "We're waiting day by day for people to get vaccinated... so that we can open and have a normal season."

Greece opens to tourists, anxious to move on from pandemic crisis season

Five people were hospitalized after being shot and injured in Shreveport, Louisiana, CBS-affiliated television station KSLA reported late on Sunday (April 18), the third multiple shooting reported in the United States with 24 hours.

In a briefing to local news outlets, police said they were in the first stages of investigating the incident without confirming the number of people admitted to hospital nor their condition.

One victim was shot in the head, while another suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to local online news site Love Shreveport-Bossier.

Sunday's incidents came with the United States already on edge over a surge in shootings in recent weeks. A gunman killed eight workers and himself at an Indianapolis FedEx center on Thursday (April 15) night, with at least seven deadly mass shootings reported in the United States over the past month.

In Shreveport, located in northwest Louisiana, multiple police units were dispatched to the scene of the incident, which took place around 9 p.m. local time (0200GMT) on Sunday on Hearne Avenue, according to the KSLA report. Victims were taken to Ochsners LSU Health and other local hospitals, the report added.

Reuters was not immediately able to contact local police. The Shreveport mayor's office didn't immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Earlier on Sunday, three people died at an apartment complex in Austin, Texas and authorities were hunting for a former deputy sheriff wanted in connection with the fatal shooting. Separately, three people were killed and two wounded in a shooting at a bar in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in the early hours of Sunday.

The spate of shootings has increased public pressure to tighten gun regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.

Five people were hospitalized after being shot and injured in Shreveport, Louisiana, CBS-affiliated television station KSLA reported late on Sunday (April 18), the third multiple shooting reported in the United States with 24 hours.

Five people were hospitalized after being shot and injured in Shreveport, Louisiana, CBS-affiliated television station KSLA reported late on Sunday (April 18), the third multiple shooting reported in the United States with 24 hours. In a briefing to local news outlets, police said they were in the first stages of investigating the incident without confirming the number of people admitted to hospital nor their condition. One victim was shot in the head, while another suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to local online news site Love Shreveport-Bossier. Sunday's incidents came with the United States already on edge over a surge in shootings in recent weeks. A gunman killed eight workers and himself at an Indianapolis FedEx center on Thursday (April 15) night, with at least seven deadly mass shootings reported in the United States over the past month. In Shreveport, located in northwest Louisiana, multiple police units were dispatched to the scene of the incident, which took place around 9 p.m. local time (0200GMT) on Sunday on Hearne Avenue, according to the KSLA report. Victims were taken to Ochsners LSU Health and other local hospitals, the report added. Reuters was not immediately able to contact local police. The Shreveport mayor's office didn't immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Earlier on Sunday, three people died at an apartment complex in Austin, Texas and authorities were hunting for a former deputy sheriff wanted in connection with the fatal shooting. Separately, three people were killed and two wounded in a shooting at a bar in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in the early hours of Sunday. The spate of shootings has increased public pressure to tighten gun regulations. Most Americans support tougher gun laws, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but Washington has done little to address the problem in recent years.

Five injured in Louisiana shooting; 3rd US multiple shooting in one day

Russia's penitentiary service said on Monday it was transferring ailing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to a prison hospital, as the EU warned it would hold Moscow responsible for the state of his health.

The United States on Sunday threatened Russia with "consequences" if President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic opponent dies in jail.&nbsp;

Navalny launched a hunger strike three weeks ago and his private doctors warned over the weekend he could pass away at "any minute".&nbsp;

Russia's prison service, which has barred Navalny's own medical team from visiting him, said its doctors had decided to move him to a medical facility at another penal colony outside Moscow.

But it insisted the anti-corruption campaigner's condition was "satisfactory", and said he was taking vitamin supplements as part of medical treatment.

Fears over Navalny's fate have further worsened relations between Moscow and the West, already strained over a Russian troop build-up along the border with Ukraine and a diplomatic row with EU member state the Czech Republic.

As the European Union's 27 foreign ministers held virtual talks Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc held the Russian authorities responsible for Navalny's health.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added that the EU would be watching closely to see that Navalny was getting the medical care he needed.

And Britain's foreign minister Dominic Raab tweeted that Russia "must grant him immediate access to independent medical care &amp; release him from his politically motivated imprisonment".

Russia dismisses protests

The Kremlin has dismissed the outcry from foreign leaders over the condition of the 44-year-old, who last year came close to death after being poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok.

"The health of convicts in the Russia Federation cannot and should not be a topic concerning them," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Navalny was arrested in Russia in January after returning from treatment in Germany for the nerve agent poisoning in August, which he says was carried out by Moscow -- an accusation denied by Putin's administration.

Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for embezzlement -- charges he says are politically motivated -- Navalny began a hunger strike on March 31 demanding medical treatment for back pain and numbness to his hands and legs.

The EU in October imposed sanctions on six Russian officials over the nerve agent attack, and in February added another four individuals over Navalny's arrest and sentencing.

Navalny's supporters have called for major protests across Russia on Wednesday to demand his release, the rallies scheduled just hours after Putin delivers his state-of-the-nation address.

Russian police -- who detained thousands during earlier protests over Navalny's initial jailing -- warned people not to demonstrate, saying officers would take "all necessary measures to maintain law and order".

Also on Monday, Russia's anti-monopoly regulator said it was investigating YouTube for making "biased" decisions about comment moderation on the video social media platform which Navalny has often used for calls to protest.&nbsp;

Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh tweeted on Monday that she had received an email from YouTube notifying her that Russia's media regulator had ordered the company to delete a video calling for Wednesday's protest.

'Red lines'

The fraught ties with Russia dominated the agenda as EU foreign ministers held their regular monthly meeting.&nbsp; 
They held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba over the Russian troop build-up along the country's eastern border and the surge in fighting with Russian-backed separatists.

Borrell said more than 150,000 Russian troops were now massed along Ukraine's borders and in the annexed Crimea peninsula.&nbsp;

However Borrell refused to give a source for that number and Monday evening the online text of his speech was updated changing the number to 100,000, with an asterix noting it was a correction.

Kiev has been battling Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and fighting intensified early this year, effectively shredding a ceasefire agreed last July.

On Twitter, Kuleba proposed more sanctions "to discourage Moscow from further escalation".

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis argued the EU should show it was willing to impose sanctions if Moscow crosses any more "red lines".

But Borrell said there were currently no proposals for new sanctions.

EU foreign ministers are also set to be briefed on the new tensions between Russia and the Czech Republic.

Moscow on Sunday ordered 20 Czech diplomats to leave the country, a day after Prague announced it was expelling 18 Russian diplomats identified as agents of the SVR and GRU security services.

Czech authorities accused them of involvement in a 2014 explosion on its soil at a military ammunition warehouse that killed two people.

Czech police said they were seeking two Russians in connection with the explosion -- and that the photos in the passports they carried matched those used by suspects in the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.

The EU said in a statement it "stands in full support and solidarity with the Czech Republic and deplores Russia's response to expel 20 Czech diplomats".

"The European Union is deeply concerned about the repeating negative pattern of dangerous malign behaviour by Russia in Europe," it added.

Russia's penitentiary service said on Monday it was transferring ailing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to a prison hospital, as the EU warned it would hold Moscow responsible for the state of his health.

Russia's penitentiary service said on Monday it was transferring ailing Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny to a prison hospital, as the EU warned it would hold Moscow responsible for the state of his health. The United States on Sunday threatened Russia with "consequences" if President Vladimir Putin's most prominent domestic opponent dies in jail. Navalny launched a hunger strike three weeks ago and his private doctors warned over the weekend he could pass away at "any minute". Russia's prison service, which has barred Navalny's own medical team from visiting him, said its doctors had decided to move him to a medical facility at another penal colony outside Moscow. But it insisted the anti-corruption campaigner's condition was "satisfactory", and said he was taking vitamin supplements as part of medical treatment. Fears over Navalny's fate have further worsened relations between Moscow and the West, already strained over a Russian troop build-up along the border with Ukraine and a diplomatic row with EU member state the Czech Republic. As the European Union's 27 foreign ministers held virtual talks Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc held the Russian authorities responsible for Navalny's health. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added that the EU would be watching closely to see that Navalny was getting the medical care he needed. And Britain's foreign minister Dominic Raab tweeted that Russia "must grant him immediate access to independent medical care & release him from his politically motivated imprisonment". Russia dismisses protests The Kremlin has dismissed the outcry from foreign leaders over the condition of the 44-year-old, who last year came close to death after being poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. "The health of convicts in the Russia Federation cannot and should not be a topic concerning them," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Navalny was arrested in Russia in January after returning from treatment in Germany for the nerve agent poisoning in August, which he says was carried out by Moscow -- an accusation denied by Putin's administration. Sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for embezzlement -- charges he says are politically motivated -- Navalny began a hunger strike on March 31 demanding medical treatment for back pain and numbness to his hands and legs. The EU in October imposed sanctions on six Russian officials over the nerve agent attack, and in February added another four individuals over Navalny's arrest and sentencing. Navalny's supporters have called for major protests across Russia on Wednesday to demand his release, the rallies scheduled just hours after Putin delivers his state-of-the-nation address. Russian police -- who detained thousands during earlier protests over Navalny's initial jailing -- warned people not to demonstrate, saying officers would take "all necessary measures to maintain law and order". Also on Monday, Russia's anti-monopoly regulator said it was investigating YouTube for making "biased" decisions about comment moderation on the video social media platform which Navalny has often used for calls to protest. Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh tweeted on Monday that she had received an email from YouTube notifying her that Russia's media regulator had ordered the company to delete a video calling for Wednesday's protest. 'Red lines' The fraught ties with Russia dominated the agenda as EU foreign ministers held their regular monthly meeting. They held talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba over the Russian troop build-up along the country's eastern border and the surge in fighting with Russian-backed separatists. Borrell said more than 150,000 Russian troops were now massed along Ukraine's borders and in the annexed Crimea peninsula. However Borrell refused to give a source for that number and Monday evening the online text of his speech was updated changing the number to 100,000, with an asterix noting it was a correction. Kiev has been battling Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and fighting intensified early this year, effectively shredding a ceasefire agreed last July. On Twitter, Kuleba proposed more sanctions "to discourage Moscow from further escalation". Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis argued the EU should show it was willing to impose sanctions if Moscow crosses any more "red lines". But Borrell said there were currently no proposals for new sanctions. EU foreign ministers are also set to be briefed on the new tensions between Russia and the Czech Republic. Moscow on Sunday ordered 20 Czech diplomats to leave the country, a day after Prague announced it was expelling 18 Russian diplomats identified as agents of the SVR and GRU security services. Czech authorities accused them of involvement in a 2014 explosion on its soil at a military ammunition warehouse that killed two people. Czech police said they were seeking two Russians in connection with the explosion -- and that the photos in the passports they carried matched those used by suspects in the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018. The EU said in a statement it "stands in full support and solidarity with the Czech Republic and deplores Russia's response to expel 20 Czech diplomats". "The European Union is deeply concerned about the repeating negative pattern of dangerous malign behaviour by Russia in Europe," it added.

Russia moves Navalny to prison hospital after Western pressure

Everyone above 18 years of age will be administered COVID vaccine in India,&nbsp;it was decided at a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday,&nbsp;in a boost to the fight against the pandemic that is surging in a second wave.

The liberalised and accelerated phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination will be implemented from 1st May.

Modi, attending a meeting of doctors and pharma leaders, said the government has been working hard from over a year to ensure that maximum number of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible of time.

Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines are being made flexible in phase 3 of India's vaccination drive, which is the world's largest.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-must-not-relax-as-it-combats-second-wave-of-coronavirus-infections-378699">India must not relax as it combats second wave of coronavirus infections</a>

All stakeholders were given flexibility to customise to local needs and&nbsp;everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine.

Vaccine manufacturers will be incentivised to further scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players, according to decisions taken at the meeting.

Vaccine makers are empowered to release up to 50% of their supply to state governments&nbsp;and in the open market at a pre-declared price.

States are empowered to procure additional vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers, as well as open up vaccination to any category of people above the age of 18 for the same.

Free vaccination will continue for essential and priority populations as defined earlier. This includes health care workers, frontline workers and those aged above 45.

Everyone above 18 years of age will be administered COVID vaccine in India, it was decided at a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in a boost to the fight against the pandemic that is surging in a second wave.

Everyone above 18 years of age will be administered COVID vaccine in India, it was decided at a meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, in a boost to the fight against the pandemic that is surging in a second wave. The liberalised and accelerated phase 3 strategy of Covid-19 vaccination will be implemented from 1st May. Modi, attending a meeting of doctors and pharma leaders, said the government has been working hard from over a year to ensure that maximum number of Indians are able to get the vaccine in the shortest possible of time. Pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of vaccines are being made flexible in phase 3 of India's vaccination drive, which is the world's largest. Also Read | India must not relax as it combats second wave of coronavirus infections All stakeholders were given flexibility to customise to local needs and everyone above the age of 18 to be eligible to get vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers will be incentivised to further scale up their production, as well as attract new national and international players, according to decisions taken at the meeting. Vaccine makers are empowered to release up to 50% of their supply to state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price. States are empowered to procure additional vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers, as well as open up vaccination to any category of people above the age of 18 for the same. Free vaccination will continue for essential and priority populations as defined earlier. This includes health care workers, frontline workers and those aged above 45.

India to give COVID-19 vaccines to all above 18 from May 1 in major boost to fight against pandemic

NASA was successful in flying Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of Mars on Monday, as per images sent back to Earth. It is a historic moment as this is a first powered flight on the Martian surface.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
"Wow!" 
 
The <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAJPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAJPL</a> team is all cheers as they receive video data from the <a href="https://twitter.com/NASAPersevere?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASAPersevere</a> rover of the Ingenuity <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarsHelicopter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarsHelicopter</a> flight: <a href="https://t.co/8eH4H6jGKs">pic.twitter.com/8eH4H6jGKs</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1384099167832735748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Altimeter data confirms that Ingenuity has performed its first flight -- the first flight of a powered aircraft on another planet," announced an engineer in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the control room cheered.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nasa-flies-a-helicopter-on-mars-378698/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A short clip sent back by Perseverance rover showed the helicopter grounded at first, howering three meters above the surface and then touching back down.

Ingenuity itself sent back a still black-and-white image from its downward pointing camera, showing its own shadow cast on the surface.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It happened. Today our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarsHelicopter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarsHelicopter</a> proved that powered, controlled flight from the surface of another planet is possible. It takes a little ingenuity, perseverance, and spirit to make that opportunity a reality: <a href="https://t.co/oT3rrBm6wj">https://t.co/oT3rrBm6wj</a> <a href="https://t.co/u63GKshp0G">pic.twitter.com/u63GKshp0G</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1384108519390027779?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"We can now say that human beings have flown a rotorcraft on another planet!" said lead engineer MiMi Aung to her team.

"We've been talking so long about our Wright brothers' moment on Mars, and here it is," she added. 
The first powered flight on Earth was achieved by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.&nbsp;

A piece of fabric from that plane has been tucked inside Ingenuity in honor of that feat.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA was successful in flying Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of Mars on Monday, as per images sent back to Earth. It is a historic moment as this is a first powered flight on the Martian surface.

NASA was successful in flying Ingenuity helicopter on the surface of Mars on Monday, as per images sent back to Earth. It is a historic moment as this is a first powered flight on the Martian surface. "Wow!" The @NASAJPL team is all cheers as they receive video data from the @NASAPersevere rover of the Ingenuity #MarsHelicopter flight: pic.twitter.com/8eH4H6jGKs — NASA (@NASA) April 19, 2021 × "Altimeter data confirms that Ingenuity has performed its first flight -- the first flight of a powered aircraft on another planet," announced an engineer in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the control room cheered. A short clip sent back by Perseverance rover showed the helicopter grounded at first, howering three meters above the surface and then touching back down. Ingenuity itself sent back a still black-and-white image from its downward pointing camera, showing its own shadow cast on the surface. It happened. Today our #MarsHelicopter proved that powered, controlled flight from the surface of another planet is possible. It takes a little ingenuity, perseverance, and spirit to make that opportunity a reality: https://t.co/oT3rrBm6wj pic.twitter.com/u63GKshp0G — NASA (@NASA) April 19, 2021 × "We can now say that human beings have flown a rotorcraft on another planet!" said lead engineer MiMi Aung to her team. "We've been talking so long about our Wright brothers' moment on Mars, and here it is," she added. The first powered flight on Earth was achieved by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. A piece of fabric from that plane has been tucked inside Ingenuity in honor of that feat. (With inputs from agencies)

Giant flight for mankind: NASA's Ingenuity helicopter flies successfully over Mars

The EU's internal markets commissioner Thierry Breton hinted Sunday that the bloc might decide not to order AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab again following delays in delivering the first batches of the vaccine.

"We're pragmatic. My priority, as far as the vaccines are concerned, is to ensure that the firms we have contracts with deliver them punctually," Breton told BFMTV television.&nbsp;

Brussels had originally ordered 120 million doses of the Anglo-Swedish group's jab for the 27 member states in the first quarter and 180 million in the second quarter.

But the drug maker &nbsp;"only delivered 30 million, thus creating the problems that everyone has seen," Breton said.

And only another 70 million will be delivered in the second quarter, he continued, but added: "Nothing is decided. Talks are still ongoing".

The EU commissioner insisted that any such decision would "not be for epidemiological or medical reasons".

"When looking at the data, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the disease," he said.&nbsp;

French industry minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher had suggested on Friday that the EU might not renew its contract with AstraZeneca in 2022 after Denmark became the first European country to stop using the jab altogether over suspected rare but serious side effects.

While other countries also suspended its use, at least temporarily, most have subsequently resumed after the European Medicines Agency (EMA), emphasised the benefits of the vaccine, judging it "safe and effective".&nbsp;

Pannier-Runacher said that the EU had "not started discussions with Johnson &amp; Johnson and with AstraZeneca for a new contract, whereas we have already started discussions with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna", the makers of two other vaccines on the market in Europe.&nbsp;

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also said this week that German biotech firm BioNTech and US pharma giant Pfizer had shown themselves to be "reliable partners, who have honoured their commitments and have reacted quickly with regard to our needs".&nbsp;

In France, 23 cases and eight deaths have been reported of rare blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca jab, out of more than 2.7 million doses administered so far.

Nevertheless, Alain Fischer, an immunologist who heads the government's vaccination advisory board, told French radio on Sunday the benefits of the jab for people aged 55 and over "very much outweighed the risks" of possible complications.

The EU's internal markets commissioner Thierry Breton hinted Sunday that the bloc might decide not to order AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab again following delays in delivering the first batches of the vaccine.

The EU's internal markets commissioner Thierry Breton hinted Sunday that the bloc might decide not to order AstraZeneca's coronavirus jab again following delays in delivering the first batches of the vaccine. "We're pragmatic. My priority, as far as the vaccines are concerned, is to ensure that the firms we have contracts with deliver them punctually," Breton told BFMTV television. Brussels had originally ordered 120 million doses of the Anglo-Swedish group's jab for the 27 member states in the first quarter and 180 million in the second quarter. But the drug maker "only delivered 30 million, thus creating the problems that everyone has seen," Breton said. And only another 70 million will be delivered in the second quarter, he continued, but added: "Nothing is decided. Talks are still ongoing". The EU commissioner insisted that any such decision would "not be for epidemiological or medical reasons". "When looking at the data, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the disease," he said. French industry minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher had suggested on Friday that the EU might not renew its contract with AstraZeneca in 2022 after Denmark became the first European country to stop using the jab altogether over suspected rare but serious side effects. While other countries also suspended its use, at least temporarily, most have subsequently resumed after the European Medicines Agency (EMA), emphasised the benefits of the vaccine, judging it "safe and effective". Pannier-Runacher said that the EU had "not started discussions with Johnson & Johnson and with AstraZeneca for a new contract, whereas we have already started discussions with Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna", the makers of two other vaccines on the market in Europe. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen also said this week that German biotech firm BioNTech and US pharma giant Pfizer had shown themselves to be "reliable partners, who have honoured their commitments and have reacted quickly with regard to our needs". In France, 23 cases and eight deaths have been reported of rare blood clots after taking the AstraZeneca jab, out of more than 2.7 million doses administered so far. Nevertheless, Alain Fischer, an immunologist who heads the government's vaccination advisory board, told French radio on Sunday the benefits of the jab for people aged 55 and over "very much outweighed the risks" of possible complications.

EU hints it might not order AstraZeneca jab again

In the wake of violent protests, France recalled 15 of its diplomats from Pakistan. Violence involving a banned group has erupted in Pakistan over blasphemous caricature of Prophet Mohammed. The group is demanding expulsion of the French envoy.

Rioting has rocked the country for the past week&nbsp;

On Sunday, 11 police officers were seized by protesters during clashes and held for hours at a TLP mosque, where hundreds of supporters are still gathered.

The group has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine in Paris to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed -- an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday pleaded with the group to end its violent campaign.&nbsp;

Khan said he also wants to stop "the insult of our Prophet in the name of freedom of speech" by western nations, but said he could not expel ambassadors every time it occurred.

The group has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine in Paris to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed -- an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the wake of violent protests, France recalled 15 of its diplomats from Pakistan. Violence involving a banned group has erupted in Pakistan over blasphemous caricature of Prophet Mohammed.

In the wake of violent protests, France recalled 15 of its diplomats from Pakistan. Violence involving a banned group has erupted in Pakistan over blasphemous caricature of Prophet Mohammed. The group is demanding expulsion of the French envoy. Rioting has rocked the country for the past week On Sunday, 11 police officers were seized by protesters during clashes and held for hours at a TLP mosque, where hundreds of supporters are still gathered. The group has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine in Paris to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed -- an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday pleaded with the group to end its violent campaign. Khan said he also wants to stop "the insult of our Prophet in the name of freedom of speech" by western nations, but said he could not expel ambassadors every time it occurred. The group has waged an anti-France campaign for months since President Emmanuel Macron defended the right of a satirical magazine in Paris to republish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed -- an act deemed blasphemous by many Muslims. (With inputs from agencies)

In wake of violent protests, France recalls 15 diplomats from Pakistan

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